Mobile device case with integrated locking assembly

ABSTRACT

A protective case for housing a mobile device is provided. The case comprises a shell assembly including a top shell and a bottom shell that at least partially enclose and form a perimeter around the device. The case further includes a backing assembly comprising an upper backing element and a lower backing element configured to join together along a parting line between a top end and a bottom end of the shell assembly. The case also includes a lock assembly for use in drawing together the upper and lower backing elements to hold the components of the shell assembly together.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This non-provisional patent application is a continuation of U.S.Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 14/951,331, filed Nov. 24,2015, which is a continuation of U.S. Non-Provisional patent applicationSer. No. 14/723,352, filed May 27, 2015, which is a continuation-in-partof U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 14/340,305, filedJul. 24, 2014, which claims priority to and the benefit of U.S.Provisional Patent App. Nos. 61/872,074 filed on Aug. 30, 2013 and61/893,672 filed on Oct. 21, 2013. The entirety of U.S. Non-Provisionalpatent application Ser. Nos. 14/951,331, 14/723,352 and 14/340,305 andU.S. Provisional Patent App. Nos. 61/872,074 and 61/893,672 areincorporated by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Generally, this application relates to cases for portable electronicdevices, and more particularly, to cases that may be used to protect aportable electronic device (or, more simply, a “device”). As usedherein, the term “hand-held electronic device” may include any type ofwireless communication devices, such as, e.g., mobile telephone, tablet,portable computer, gaming device, media player, smart phone, personalorganizer, and the like. Though the primary embodiment discussed hereinrelates to a case for a mobile phone, it will be understood that theprinciples of the invention could be adapted to other geometries for usewith other hand-held electronic devices.

BACKGROUND

As mobile communication devices, PDAs, tablets and other consumerelectronic devices have become commonplace, so have the various casingsused to protect those devices. Simpler, inexpensive cases involve merelya bottom shell in which the phone is seated that provides side, top andbottom walls to wrap around the device, and a raised rim around itsoperative interface. Others seek to cover over the operative interfacewith a film or membrane to provide additional protection, or to attemptto seal the device and make the casing water-proof. Waterproof orwater-resistant cases are typically of a clamshell variety, wherein topand bottom shells are fitted together around the mobile device. Forclamshell-style casings, whether or not they involve a membrane, variousmechanisms have been used to secure the two shells together, rangingfrom clamps to hinges. Simply pressing the two shells together and usingan over-lapping edge or press-fit is perhaps the simplest and mostwell-known means. However, such an over-lapping interface may wear downover time with repeated use and fail to provide a secure connection.Alternatively, more secure clamshell connections using extraneoushardware (clamps, hinges, etc.) are less user-friendly and moreexpensive.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a clam-shell style case for a handheldmobile device that features a user-friendly concept to secure the shellswithout the need for clamps or hinges, yet that provides a robustconnection and additional protection from impacts. The top component mayor may not have a membrane over the operative interface of the device.The shells are secured together with upper and lower backing elementsthat slide together along a protrusion formed by one or both of the clamshells. The backing elements provide additional impact resistance andprotection to the device, while serving to hold the upper and lowershells securely together. The backing elements are secured togetheralong a parting line by a locking system.

In some instances, the invention discloses a case for a generallyrectangular mobile device, the case comprising an inner shell assemblyfor partially enclosing the mobile device, wherein the inner shellassembly includes a top shell and a bottom shell configured to jointogether around a perimeter of the device. The case further includes anouter backing assembly configured to hold the shell assembly together,the backing assembly comprising an upper backing element configured toslide over a first end of the shell assembly and a lower backing elementconfigured to slide over a second end of the shell assembly and to seatagainst the upper backing element along a parting line positionedbetween the first and second ends of the shell assembly. The case alsoincludes a locking assembly partially disposed in each of the upper andlower backing elements, the locking assembly configured to secure theupper and lower backing elements together.

In other instances, the invention discloses a case for a mobile devicehaving a front surface and a back surface, the case comprising a shellassembly that includes a top shell component having two opposingsidewalls and forming a perimeter around the front surface of thedevice, and a bottom shell component forming a cradle for the backsurface of the device. The case further includes a backing assemblycomprising an upper backing element and a lower backing elementconfigured to join together along a parting line between a top end and abottom end of the shell assembly, the backing assembly extending acrossa rear surface of the bottom shell and along a portion of the sidewallsof the top shell. The case also includes a lock assembly partiallydisposed in each of the lower backing element and the upper backingelement, the lock assembly configured for use in drawing together theupper and lower backing elements, thereby holding together thecomponents of the shell assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention can be better understood with reference to thefollowing drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarilyto scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating theprinciples of the present invention. In the drawings, like referencenumerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of case components forming around a mobiledevice in accordance with a first exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 1A is an exploded view of case components forming around a mobiledevice in accordance with a second exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 1B is a front isometric view of the case of FIG. 1A when fullyassembled, but with the mobile device not included.

FIG. 2 is a frontal view of the case of FIG. 1 when fully assembledaround a mobile device.

FIG. 3 is a section view of a side edge of the case of FIG. 1 takenthrough section 3 as shown in FIG. 2

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the inner side of the top shell of thecase of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the inner side of the top shell of thecase of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 4B is an exploded view of the elements of the top shell shown inFIG. 4A.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the inner side of the bottom shell ofthe case of FIG. 1, with hidden lines showing the twist lock assembly onits bottom side.

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the outer side of the bottom shell ofthe case of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 5B is an exploded view of the elements of the bottom shell shown inFIG. 5A.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the outer (back) side of the case ofFIG. 1 as it is being assembled about a mobile device.

FIG. 6A is a perspective view like that of FIG. 6, but with the casefully assembled about a mobile device, and with an optional carryingstrap installed.

FIG. 6B is a perspective view of the inside of the upper backing elementof the case of FIG. 1, illustrating a headphone jack connection.

FIG. 7 is a rear view showing the back side of the case of FIG. 1A,fully assembled about a mobile device.

FIG. 7A is front isometric view of the upper and lower backing elementsof the case of FIG. 1A locked together, with the connection door opened.

FIG. 7B is an exploded view of the components of the backing elementsshown in FIG. 7A.

FIG. 8 is a close-up perspective view of the twist lock assembly of thebottom shell of the case of FIG. 1, according to certain embodiments.

FIG. 9 is a corresponding section of the lower backing element of thecase of FIG. 1 that mates with a portion of the twist lock assembly.

FIG. 10 is an exploded view of top and bottom shells of a case accordingto a third exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a section view taken through a side of a fully assembled casehaving no membrane in accordance with the embodiment shown in FIG. 10.

FIG. 11A is a section view taken through a side of a fully assembledcase having a membrane in accordance with the embodiment shown in FIG.10.

FIG. 11B is a section view taken through the side of the case shown inFIG. 7.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the underside of the top shell of thecase of FIG. 10.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the upper and lower backing elements ofthe case of FIG. 10.

FIG. 14 is an exploded view of the case of FIG. 10, showing backingelements being installed over the top and bottom shells, in turn,assembled around a mobile device.

FIG. 15 is an exploded view of case components forming around a mobiledevice in accordance with a fourth exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a side view of the case from FIG. 15 when fully assembledaround a mobile device.

FIG. 17 is a section view of a side edge of the case from FIG. 15 takenthrough Section 17-17 as shown in FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is an exploded view of components of a lower backing elementshown in FIG. 15.

FIG. 19 illustrates a section of the lower backing element of FIG. 18 ina first condition.

FIG. 19A illustrates a section of the lower backing element of FIG. 18in a second condition.

FIG. 19B illustrates a section of the lower backing element of FIG. 18in a third condition.

FIG. 20 is a bottom view of the case from FIG. 15 showing components ofa doorclasp assembly.

FIG. 21 illustrates a section of the case from FIG. 15 taken throughSection 21-21 as shown in FIG. 20.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The description that follows describes, illustrates and exemplifies oneor more particular embodiments of the present invention in accordancewith its principles. This description is not provided to limit theinvention to the embodiments described herein, but rather to explain andteach the principles of the invention in such a way to enable one ofordinary skill in the art to understand these principles and, with thatunderstanding, be able to apply them to practice not only theembodiments described herein, but also other embodiments that may cometo mind in accordance with these principles. The scope of the presentinvention is intended to cover all such embodiments that may fall withinthe scope of the appended claims, either literally or under the doctrineof equivalents.

FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of a case 100 for a mobile device, such asan iPad® tablet. It will be understood that the components of the case,and the dimensions and shape, could be modified to fit other types ofmobile devices without departing from the novelty of the invention. Thecase of FIG. 1 is comprised of four principle parts: a top shell 110, abottom shell 120, and upper and lower backing elements 130, 140 (alsoreferred to herein as a “backing assembly”). These are shown in afully-assembled condition around a mobile device 105 in FIG. 2, whereinthe bottom shell 120 is fully enclosed and not in view. Generally, thetop shell 110 and bottom shell 120 come together around the perimeter ofthe mobile device 105 to partially enclose it. Each of the top shell 110and bottom shell 120 provide an outward protrusion 112, 122, saidoutward protrusions aligning with one another as shown in the crosssection of FIG. 2. The upper and lower backing elements 130 and 140 eachhave a channel 132, 142 on either side sized to cooperate with the twooutward protrusions 112, 122. The backing elements 130, 140 may be slidover the protrusions 112, 122 (with the protrusions in the channels 132,142) until they meet. The channels 132, 142 serve to hold the top shell110 and bottom shell 120 together around the mobile device 105. The twobacking elements 130, 140 are then drawn together by turning a twistlock assembly 180 along the boundary where the backing elements cometogether. An optional harness strap 190 may be inserted into the backingelements 130, 140 so as to provide a grip for the device 105 when in thecase 100.

The top shell 110 may be formed of a generally rigid plastic, such aspolycarbonate. It is generally rectangular in shape, having top andbottom outer edges 114, 115 and opposing side outer edges 116, 117 thatextend beyond the outer perimeter of the device to be enclosed. The topshell also has opposing inner edges 118 and top and bottom inner edges119 that fit snugly against the device 105 along the edges of itsscreen. In some embodiments, the top shell 110 may contain a translucentmembrane that covers the device screen (not shown). The top shell 110provides a flexible overmold 111 aligned with the power control 106 forthe device 105 so that the control may be operated while the device isin the case. It will be understood that this overmold can be moved orresized to fit with the operative controls of other devices. The topshell 110 also provides a perimeter seal 155 (see FIG. 3) along itsinside perimeter for use in sealing against the device screen. The topshell 110 has a clasp retainer 157 along its bottom outer edge 115 forretaining a clasp that seals the power port (lightening port) of thedevice 105 (not shown) when not in use.

A cross section of the top shell 110 is shown in FIG. 3. As shown, aperimeter seal 155 comes to rest on the surface of the device itself,near the inner perimeter of the inside edge 118. The shell 110 is raisedtoward its center to provide a protective rim 113 around the encloseddevice 105, and then falls away toward its outer perimeter 117. Betweenits inner and outer perimeters 118, 117, the shell 110 comprises adownward extension 109 to partially form sidewalls for enclosing thedevice 105. Fixed to the bottom of the extension is a joining seal 153,which runs the perimeter of the shell 110. This seal 153 is made to fitinto a pocket 124 formed in the bottom shell 120, as described below.The extension also comprises an outward protrusion 112 that is used tohelp secure the top shell 110 to the bottom shell 120, by way of thebacking elements 130, 140.

The bottom shell 120 forms an open-faced housing for the device 105, andis designed to conform to the outer dimensions of the device 105. In thedisclosed embodiment, the bottom shell 120 is a generally flat,rectangular object with slightly upstanding walls along its two sides127, top 128 and bottom 129. A camera hole 123 is aligned with a cameralens in the device 105, and other such openings may be provided so as toallow interplay and function of other utilities of the device. Theseopenings may be sealed with translucent windows in some embodiments. Asshown in the cross-section of FIG. 3, the upstanding walls 125 of thebottom shell 120 cooperate with the downward shell extensions 109 toform the sidewalls of the device case 100. The upstanding walls 125comprise a pocket 124 that accommodates a portion of the downwardextension 109 of the top shell 110, and the joining seal 153 attachedthereto. Ideally, the seal 153 will form a slight interference fitwithin the pocket 124 to help retain the top shell 110 and bottom shell120 together prior to the backing elements 130, 140 being installed.However, note that there are no overlapping surfaces, lockingmechanisms, ribs, or clasps that hold the two components 110, 120together in FIG. 3. Instead, the bottom shell's upstanding walls providea second outward protrusion 122 that cooperates with and aligns with thefirst outward protrusion 112 of the top shell 110, which arecollectively held in place by the backing elements, 130, 140, asexplained below.

The upper and lower backing elements 130, 140, essentially form a secondlayer bottom shell for the device 105, but with taller upstanding wallsthat extend above the sides 127, top 128 and bottom 129 walls of thebottom shell 120. The upper backing element 130 provides a generallyflat inner surface, with an upstanding top wall 138 and upstanding sidewalls 134. There is no wall opposite the top wall. Instead, the flatinner surface simply drops off along an edge. In the disclosedembodiment, the edge is parallel to the top wall 138, but that is notrequired. In the center of the edge is a semi-circular punchout 139,which is used to help draw the backing elements 130 and 140 together, asexplained below. Also along the flat surface is a hole 137 to align withthe camera hole 123 in the bottom shell 120. In the illustratedembodiment, there is also Velcro, or some other retaining material 135disposed at a central area near a slit 136. The slit 136 is betterillustrated in FIG. 3, where the outside of the flat surface isillustrated. The purpose of the slit 136 and retaining material 135 isdiscussed below.

As shown best in the cross-section of FIG. 3, each side wall 134provides a channel 132 that is used to secure the top shell protrusion112 to the bottom shell protrusion 122 (thereby securing the top shell112 to the bottom shell 122. In operation, a user places the top shell112 and bottom shell 122 around the device 105, and then aligns thechannel 132 of the upper backing element with the joined protrusions112, 122, and slides the protrusions into the channel 132 until the topwall 128 of the bottom shell 120 fits up against the top wall 138 of theupper backing element 130. This same operation is also conducted withthe lower backing element 140.

The features of the lower backing element 140 mirror that of the upperbacking element 130 except, in the illustrated embodiment, the camerahole is on the upper portion, and the power port is on the lowerportion. Thus, as shown, the lightning port clasp 158 is hinged to thelower backing element 140 along its bottom wall. It will be understoodthat these features dependent on the location of controls and otherinputs/outputs of the device to be encased will drive the location ofthese access features in the case 100. Otherwise, the lower backingelement 140 has side walls 144 that feature a channel 142 designed toalign with channel 132 in the upper backing element. Channel 142 (notshown in FIG. 3 because of where the section is taken), thus, alsoslides along the protrusions 112, 122 to help hold the top shell 110 andthe bottom shell 120 together. Mirroring the upper backing element 130,the lower backing element 140 has a bottom wall 148, but no top wall.Instead, its flat inner surface that extends between side walls 144drops off along an edge parallel to the bottom wall 148. This edge has apunchout 149 that mates with punchout 139 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4where the backing elements join together. The lower backing element 140also features retaining material 145 and a slit 146.

As shown in FIG. 3, each of the backing elements 130, 140 may have apliable overmold (shown as 133, corresponding to the upper backingelement 130 in FIG. 1) along the outside of their side walls 134, 144.This overmold serves to allow pressure-based access to underlying device105 controls, and also provides additional impact absorption in theevent of drops.

Along the top wall 138 is a built-in phone jack extension assembly 165(see FIG. 6B). A first end of the extension extends inward/downward fromthe top wall 138 directly toward the device 105 such that it fits withinthe headphone port of the device 105 when the case 100 is assembled andthe device is installed therein. The other end of the extension 165 is aflexible cable that extends external to the case and provides a femaleadapter 167 for receiving a headphone jack. In this manner, theheadphone port on the device 105 is protected and sealed off. Theextension external to the case has a groove that it is pressed intoalong the outside of the top wall 138 when the phone port is not in use.The groove is fashioned such that the open end of the extension issealed against a guard surface 168 formed in the top wall 138 to ensureno moisture gets through to the device 105.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show the open, receiving sides of the top and bottomshells, respectively. As shown, the protrusion 112 of the top shell runsalong the side wall, extending outward. The downward extension 109 shownin FIG. 3's cross section is actually extending upward here because thetop shell 110 has been inverted to show its inside. Joining seal 153runs the perimeter of the top shell to press fit into pocket 124 of thelower shell of FIG. 5. Perimeter seal 155 also runs the perimeter of thetop shell, but along the underside of the protective rim 113, so as toseat against the mobile device 105 (not shown). The protrusion 122 ofthe lower shell 120 is also shown extending out from along a side so asto mate with protrusion 112. In hidden lines, the twist lock assembly180 is shown. It is hidden here because it extends from the other sideof the bottom shell, in the illustrated embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 6, once the upper and lower backing elements 130 and140 are slid together, with the protrusions 112 and 122 fit into thechannels 134, 144, the backing elements are drawn together with thetwist lock assembly 180. The punchouts 139, 149 in the backing elementscome together to form a hole along the back of the case through whichthe twist lock assembly 180 extends. In the illustrated embodiment, thishole is roughly centered in the back of case 100, but it will beunderstood that the location of the hole could be toward top wall 138,the bottom wall 148, or offset to either side, depending on thedimensions of the backing elements, and where the parting line is to bebetween them. The twist lock assembly 180 may take different forms. Asshown in FIG. 6, it is a circular locking mechanism that fits into thehole formed by the punchouts 139, 149. The assembly provides a groove181 that is used to rotate the twist lock and pull the backing elementstogether. In certain embodiments, this is assisted by screw ridgesformed in the edges of the punchouts (not shown). FIG. 6A shows the case100 with the twist lock 180 locked such that the case is sealed and thebacking elements are pulled together.

Elements of the twist lock assembly 180 are fashioned into and extendoutward from the bottom shell 120. As shown in FIG. 8, the twist lockassembly comprises a round plate 185 with two opposing tracks 183 and ahollow center. Extending through the hollow center of the plate 185 is acircular raised surface 179 connected (beneath plate 185—not shown) totwo stops 184. The raised surface 179 extends through the hole formed bythe punchouts 139, 149 in the backing elements when assembled. Theraised surface 179 comprises a central handle 182 for use in operatingthe twist lock assembly 180, such as via insertion of a coin. Here, thehandle 182 is an open slit for receiving the coin. When the coin isturned, the raised surface 179 rotates with respect to the plate 185,causing the stops 184 to move along the tracks 183. Each stop 184 restson a spring which allows it to be retractable. The stops 184 aredimensioned such that their upper surfaces are flush with the back ofthe backing elements when the case 100 is fully assembled.

FIG. 6B shows the inside of the upper backing element 130, with sidewalls 134 and top wall 138 extending upward. In addition to camera hole137, there is also a jack port 131 shown as a cutaway along the top wall138. Though the port could be left open for direct insertion of aheadphone jack 170 in some embodiments, the illustrated embodimentutilizes a jack extension assembly 165 to facilitate connection to ajack in a sealed manner. Jack extension assembly 165 is comprised of amale component 166 (internal to the case 100) and a female component 167(external to the case 100). In certain embodiments, the extensionassembly 165 is permanently affixed and sealed to the jack port 131. Asthe backing element 130 is slid down over the combination top shell110/bottom shell 120, the male component 166 aligns with the jack port161 of the top shell (see FIG. 4) and, respectively, with a port hole inthe mobile device 105. In order to connect to headphone jack 170, theexternal female component 167 is pulled away from the jack extensionguard 168 formed in the top wall 138 of the upper backing element 130where the female component 167 is retained and environmentally sealedwhen not in use.

FIG. 9 shows a portion of the lower backing element 140 in an embodimentdesigned to cooperate with the locking assembly of FIG. 8. As shown, thebacking elements in this embodiment have quarter-circle slits 151corresponding to the tracks 183, such as that shown in FIG. 6. When thebacking elements 130, 140 are slid toward one another, the stops 184extending from the twist lock assembly 180 at the center of the bottomshell 120 are depressed against the inner surfaces of the backingelements and pop back out into the quarter slits 151 cut into the backof the backing elements once in place. The stops 184 are fixed to andaligned with the handle 182, such that they move along the tracks 183 ofthe twist lock assembly 180 when the handle 182 is turned. Initiallyparallel to the boundary between the backing elements, the handle 182 isturned ninety degrees clockwise, causing the stops 184 (now extendingthrough the quarter-circle slits 151 in the backing elements) to pullthe backing elements together. It may be advantageous to have backingseals 152 along the meeting edges of the backing elements 130, 140,which may be compressed together by the twist locking action, therebyforming a tight seal.

As a final optional step, a strap assembly 190 may be installed for userconvenience. With reference to FIG. 6A, the strap assembly comprises ashort portion 191, a long portion 192, and a joining clasp 194. Thejoining clasp 194 is permanently fixed to a second end of the shortportion 192. Each of the short and long portions 191, 192 have retainingmaterial 195 (e.g., Velcro) on a first end (not shown) that is designedto fit through one of the slits 136, 146 in one of the backing elements130, 140 so as to come into contact with the retaining material 135, 145on the insides thereof. It may be easier to connect these first ends tothe insides of the backing elements and feed them through the slits 136,146 from the inside out prior to assembly of the backing elements overthe bottom shell 120. With the backing elements installed and lockedtogether, and the second ends of the short and long portions 191, 192extending through the backs of the backing elements, the second end ofthe long portion is fed through the clasp and sealed back against itselfagainst external retaining material 196. As shown in FIG. 6A, theexternal retaining material 196 and length of the longer strap 192 mayallow for adjustability of the strap 190.

FIG. 10 shows an exploded view of a top shell 210 and bottom shell 220of a second embodiment of the device case, identified as case 200 (seeFIG. 14.) This case functions in the same manner as case 100 in that itis comprised of a top and bottom shell that come together along a sealedboundary to form an outward protrusion that is then used as a track toslide upper and lower backing elements together to retain the shellstogether. However, in this case, only the upper shell 210 has an outwardprotrusion (see element 212 of FIG. 11), which aligns with an outer wall222 of the lower shell 220. As with case 100, the top shell 210 of case200 has a top edge 214, a bottom edge 215, and sides 216 and 217. Italso has a downward extension 209, ending in a joining seal 253 thatcircles the perimeter of the shell and seats inside a channel formed inthe bottom shell 220. The channel is formed between the inner wall 221and the outer wall 222 of the bottom shell 220. Protrusion 212 comes torest on the top of the outer wall 222, as shown in the cross sectionview of FIG. 11. Extending outward from the downward edge 209 along theperimeter of the top shell 210 are lightning port cover 211 and controlsovermold 218. As will be seen, the controls overmold 218 serves theadditional function of helping retain the upper and lower backingelements 230 and 240 together.

Bottom shell 220 similarly has a top edge 228, bottom edge 229 and sides227 forming its perimeter. Around the perimeter, it features inner wall221 and outer wall 222, the latter of which has cutouts at certainintervals to accommodate the overmolds and covers (e.g., 211 and 218) ofthe top shell 210. The inner wall 221 and outer wall 222 cooperate toform a trench that extends along the inner perimeter of the bottom shell220 and accommodates the joining seal 253. Though shown as being fixedto the distal end of the downward extension 209 of the upper shell 210,it will be understood that the joining seal 253 could alternatively bemolded into the trench, such that it remains with the bottom shell 220when the top shell 210 is pulled away.

FIGS. 11 and 11A show cross-sections taken along the upper portion of afully assembled case 200 (not shown), mirroring the location where thesection of FIG. 3 is taken for case 100. However, the top shell 210varies slightly between FIG. 11 and FIG. 11A. The case 200 of FIG. 11features a perimeter seal 255 much like that of case 100 shown in FIG.3. The perimeter seal seats around the perimeter of the interactivescreen of device 105, and is pressed down by the hard plastic componentof top shell 210 being pulled down against it by the backing element 230compressing the top shell 210 and bottom shell 220 together. Thisresults in a raised protective rim, such as is found in some form oranother in nearly every device case on the market.

The top shell 210 of FIG. 11A departs from this in that there is noprotective rim. The top surface of the case, when fully assembled, iscompletely flush, and takes on the same shape as the device 105 which itprotects. Here, the case 200 includes a membrane 208, which expandsacross the top surface of the device when the case is fully assembledwith device 105 installed. The membrane is translucent, and configuredto allow touch-screen operability and interaction with the device. Forexample, the membrane might be made of materials such as Corning GorillaGlass®. The membrane 208 seats on a shelf 207 formed around the top ofthe top shelf, and may be fixed there via a variety of known means, suchas adhesives, and/or an interference fit with the portion of the topshell 210 extending above the shelf 207. The mating edges of top shell210 and upper backing element 230 (and lower backing element 240—notshown) also changes slightly between the cases of FIGS. 11 and 11A.

FIG. 12 shows the inside surface of a top shell 210 equipped with amembrane 208, such as that shown in section view of FIG. 11A. As can beseen, the device 105 is seated in this shell prior to the bottom shell220 being placed over it. With these assembled, the backing elements areslid over the protrusion formed by 212 and the outer wall 222 of thebottom shell 210. FIG. 13 shows the upper backing element 230 and lowerbacking element 240 pressed together along their joining interface. Eachbacking element features upstanding side walls 134/144 respectively. Thelower backing element 240 has an upstanding bottom wall 248, while theupper backing element 230 has an upstanding top wall 238. Each of theupstanding walls comprise a portion of lip 250 that runs around theperimeter of the combined backing elements and extends over the top ofprotrusion 212 of the top shell 210 in order to pull the top and bottomshells together and retain them in a sealed position.

Finally, as shown in FIG. 14, once the top shell and bottom shell areassembled around the device 105, the upper and lower backing elements230 and 240 are slid over the sides 217/227 of the assembled shells toheld them together. In this illustrated embodiment, there is no twistlock assembly or separate retaining device. Rather, the backing elementsare pressed over the control overmold 218. The overmold is ideally madeof a pliable, resilient material that helps retain the backing elementswhen the cutout 258 is pressed over it.

FIG. 1A shows a third embodiment of the present invention that varies inslight ways from the first two embodiments. Notably, case 300 stilladheres to the concept of securing top and bottom clam shells togetherusing slide-over backing elements. In FIG. 1A is shown a mobile device305 that is to be fit between a top shell 310 and a bottom shell 320.The top shell has a translucent membrane 308, such that the mobiledevice 305 will be completely enclosed. However, shells 310 and 320 haveno clasping mechanism on them such that they will not remain togetheraround the device on their own. Instead, upper backing element 330 andlower backing element 340 are slid over a protrusion 312 formed in theframe of the top shell. Like that of case 100 (See FIG. 6), case 300comprises a lock assembly 380 that is used to draw the backing elements330 and 340 together so as to fully secure the mobile device 305. Oncefully installed, the mobile device 305 cannot be removed withoutunlocking the lock assembly 380. This may or may not require a tool,depending on the particular embodiment.

FIG. 1B shows a fully assembled case 300 without a mobile device 305installed. In this particular example, the case 300 is configured tosupport an iPhone 5S. However, it will be understood that the principlesand constructions taught could simply be repositioned so as toaccommodate other mobile device designs. As shown in FIG. 1B, the topshell 310 includes a controls overmold 318 similar to that of case 200(See FIG. 14). However, as will be seen, the upper backing element 330does not extend around it along the top side. Looking through themembrane 308 of the top shell 310, the inside surface of bottom shell320 is visible. In this case, a pattern has been formed into a pliablebottom shell insert 322, discussed further below. Also visible throughthe membrane are the flash buffer 324 and camera buffer 325 that arecomponents of the bottom shell and used to protect lighting around thecamera flash from the mobile device 305.

At the bottom end of the case 300 is a power cable door 358 formed inthe lower backing element 340. This door opens to allow connection of acharging cable, but closes so as to seal off the power port as well asthe speaker and microphone as discussed below. Also shown in a separatesensor pad 311 fitted into the top shell to align with the fingerprintsensor of the iPhone 5S. Unlike the membrane 308, which is, for example,a rigid glass, the sensor pad 311 allows for the characteristics of auser's fingerprint to be translated through to the mobile device 305 tounlock access to the device while still secured within the case 300. Thesensor pad 311 is ideally positioned beneath the membrane 308 to whichit is mounted, such that the pad 311 is flush with the Touch ID homebutton of the mobile device 305 in its resting state. The pad 311 isbonded by an adhesive or ultrasonic welding to the membrane seal, whichis, in turn, fixed to the inner surface of the top shell 310. In thismanner, the pad 311 functions to convey fingerprints to the device, butthe case 300 is still watertight in the area.

FIG. 4A shows the inside of top shell 310, which forms a cradle intowhich the mobile device is placed, with its view screen down towardmembrane 308. The membrane 308 has an ear port 307 with a water-proofseal placed over it to allow sound to pass (i.e., when someone islistening to the device as in a phone conversation) but not water. Aswith prior embodiments discussed, the top shell 310 has a top wall 314,a bottom wall 315, and opposing side walls 316 and 317. Protrusion 312extends outward from at least each side wall 316 and 317 for purposes ofhelping seal the case 300. The protrusion also forms a shelf for theouter wall 323 of the lower shell 320, as shown best in FIG. 11B.

Along side wall 317 is the controls overmold 318, which features up anddown volume overmolds 318A and 318B, as well as a toggle switch 319 foruse in operating a mute selection on the mobile device 305 when it isinstalled in the case 300. Moving around the top wall 314, there is asleep control seal 363 that allows sleep button 364 to be operated whilepreventing the ingress of liquids. Opposite that are three holes in thebottom wall 315: microphone port 367, speaker port 368 and power port369. These ports are always open and are not sealed by the top shellitself. Rather, they are sealed from outside liquids by the power cabledoor 358 of the lower backing element 340. Again, it will be understoodthat these ports are configured for a particular mobile device 305, butcould be located elsewhere along the perimeter of the case 300 as neededto accommodate other designs.

FIG. 4B provides an exploded view of the top shell 310 shown in FIG. 4A,but showing the outer or top surface. As shown, the top shell 310includes a perimeter frame 313, which is preferably of a rigid material.The protrusion 312 is a rigid surface feature of the frame 313 andextends at least along the side walls 316 and 317. Controls overmold 318is of a flexible or semi-flexible material such as a polymer thatprovides a watertight seal in the perimeter openings through which thecontrols 318A, 318B and 319 operate to contact corresponding controls onthe device 305. In this same manner, sleep control seal 363 is flexibleand covers around the sleep button 364. Foam seals 365 cover over thespeaker and microphone ports through the bottom wall 315 of the topshell frame 313. Below the top shell frame 313 are the membrane seal309, the membrane 308, and the sensor pad 311. Once assembled duringmanufacture, the components shown on FIG. 4B are generally intended tostay together as one single component—the top shell 310.

FIG. 5A shows an isometric rear view of the bottom shell 320. Like thetop shell 310, the bottom shell 320 is preferably of a rigidconstruction, though it has components that are not rigid. From the rearor outer side of the bottom shell 320, primarily the bottom shell frame321 is all that is visible. The frame 321 has sidewalls, a top wall andbottom wall in the illustrated embodiment, but the walls are shorterthan those of the top shell 310. That is why insertion of the mobiledevice 305 is performed by placing the device face first into the topshell and then placing the bottom shell 320 over the backside of thedevice before sliding the backing elements on. In the illustratedembodiment the side wall in view has a controls cutaway to provide roomfor the controls overmold 318 of the top shell 310. It will beunderstood that this geometry could be reversed such that the controlsovermold is part of the bottom shell 320 and the bottom shell 320 hasthe higher walls instead of the top shell 310 without departing from thespirit of the invention. At the top left corner of the outer surface ofthe bottom shell 320 is shown a camera hole 327. This hole supports thecamera seal assembly 326, which is more clearly illustrated in FIG. 5B.

FIG. 5B is an exploded view of the bottom shell 320 taken from the otherside (the inner side) of the shell. At bottom is the shell frame 321with its camera hole 327. Above that is a bottom shell lining 322. Whilethe frame 321 is rigid, the lining 322 is flexible or semi-flexible andmay be molded into a pattern such as that shown. The pattern may havesome depth such that it forms ribs 350 for cushioning the back of themobile device 305. These ribs may be few or many, large or small, butideally should only rise just slightly (perhaps a millimeter) off of theinner surface of the lining 322. The lining 322 generally is of the sameshape as the frame 321, but slightly smaller so as to fit on its inside.In the exemplary embodiment, the lining is permanently co-molded orover-molded to the frame such that they form a single, inseparablecomponent. The lining 322 also has a camera hole 327, which joins to thehole in the frame to support the seal assembly 326 and the flash buffer324 and camera buffer 325. These buffers help control light distributionwhile the seals help to prevent water ingress.

FIG. 7 shows a rear view of the fully assembled case 300, but primarilyserves to illustrate the rear of the backing elements 330 and 340 nowinstalled. As indicated, the outer perimeter of the backing elements 330and 340 are guarded by upper backing bumper 333 and lower backing bumper343, respectively. While the upper and lower backing frames 331 and 341(see FIG. 7B) are ideally of a rigid plastic or metal, the bumpers areflexible and assist in cushioning impact. Power cable door 358 is shownin the closed position at the bottom of the lower backing element 340.Camera hole 337 (which aligns with camera hole 327 in the bottom shell320) is shown in the upper left corner of the upper backing element 330.Controls 319, 318A and 318B appear along the right side, where theperimeter of the upper backing element 330 is trimmed away to allowspace for them. Certain components of the lock assembly 380 are visiblein this view. Specifically, lock wheel 381, with its cam hole 386, arepresent as well as the position indicator hole 385, which serves toidentify to the user whether the backing elements have been securedtogether or not. The case 300 may also include a key or tool (not shown)for insertion into the cam hole 386 for use in turning lock wheel 381.

FIG. 7A shows the upper and lower backing elements 330 and 340 from theother side (exposing their inner surfaces). While the elements are shownlocked together for purposes of explanation, this would typically not bedone unless the backing elements were first slid over the sub-assembledtop and bottom shells 310/320, which would in turn contain the mobiledevice 305. Generally, the backing elements form an outer perimeter ofthe case 300, with breaks or holes corresponding to the control featuresof the mobile device 305 it is configured for use with—in this case, aniPhone 5S. This includes control port 362, camera hole 337 and the breakfor the control overmold 318 (not shown here) which extends through theside wall of the upper backing element 330. In this view, the powercable door 358 is shown in the open position, thus allowing access tocharge the mobile device 305. When closed, this door provides awatertight seal around the opening otherwise formed in the bottom wallof the lower backing element 340. The door 358 is held closed, at leastin part, but the seal plugs 344, which are inserted into correspondingopenings in the top shell 310 (e.g., the speaker port 367 and microphoneport 368 of FIG. 4A). In this view, the inner surface of the lockassembly 380 is plainly in view showing that the lock wheel 381 on theouter side has been turned so as to draw the backing elements together.This would normally not be visible because it would be occluded by thebottom shell 320.

FIG. 7B shows an exploded view of both backing elements 330 and 340 froma rear isometric angle. As shown, the lower backing element 340comprises a backing frame 341, which is typically a single, rigid moldedplastic, side bumpers 343 and back pad 342. Just as the bumpers extendout to protect impacts from the sides, the back pad (also a flexible orsemi-flexible polymer, typically) extends slightly beyond frame 341. Italso covers over the lock wheel housing 382 formed partially in thelower backing element 340. The lower backing element also comprisescomponents of the power access door 358, including the pin 359 on whichit rotates as well as water and acoustic seals 361 and 360 that fitaround or over the plugs 344.

The upper backing element 330 comprises a similar rigid, typicallyplastic molded frame 331 with depressions to receive bumper 333 alongits perimeter and back pad 332 along its outer (rear) surface for impactabsorption. Back pad 332, which is flexible or semi-flexible, has acutout to keep the camera hole 337 uncovered, as well as a lock accesshole 383 through which the lock wheel extends and the position indicatorhole 385. The pad 332 covers over the remainder of the lock wheelhousing 382 that is formed in the rear surface of the upper backingelement. When assembled, the lock wheel 381 is placed in the lock wheelhousing 382 such that the cam hole 386 is accessible from the outside ofthe back pad 332. The lock wheel assembly 380 has two positions (openand closed) corresponding with two detents 384. In the open position, afirst detent will appear through the position indicator hole 385. In theclosed position, the second detent will so appear. The detents 384 maybe color coded, for example, with green indicating closed and redindicating opened. In other embodiments, there may be two positionindicator holes 385A and 385B positioned such that, in a closedposition, the lock wheel 381 positions a color patch under hole 385Aand, in an open position, the lock wheel 381 positions a color patchunder hole 385B. These cameral holes might be formed in the shape of aclosed and open padlock, for instance, respectively. Finally, cameratrim insert 338 fits around the camera hole 337 to help control lightingfor the camera feature of the mobile device 305.

FIG. 11B shows a cross section taken through a side wall of the case 300as shown in FIG. 7. This cross section illustrates the similarities anddifferences with case 200 (FIGS. 11 and 11A) and case 100 (FIG. 3).First, each case features a top shell (110, 210, 310) with a perimeterwall around the outside of a mobile device (105, 205, 305), where thewall features a downward extension (109, 210, 304) that fits at leastpartially into a trench formed by the perimeter of the bottom shell(120, 220, 320). In each case, the top shell features an outwardprotrusion (112, 212, 312) along its perimeter wall that abuts an outerportion of the bottom shell. In each case, the upper backing element(130, 230, 330) forms a housing that extends around the exterior of thebottom shell and at least a portion of the top shell to grip around theprotrusion (112, 212, 312) to hold the top shell and bottom shelltogether.

After acknowledging those similarities, there are some differences. Likethe section of FIG. 11A (case 200), FIG. 11B (case 300) includes amembrane (208, 308). In FIG. 11B, the membrane 308 is attached to theperimeter of the top shell 310 by the adhesive membrane seal 309. But italso has a raised perimeter like the sections in FIG. 11 and FIG. 3(case 100), which does not exist in FIG. 11A. Cases 100 and 200 eachfeature at least a joining seal (153, 253) that is compressed when thetop shell downward extension fits into the channel formed by the bottomshell. Case 300 uses no such seal. Rather, the bottom shell comprises acompressible lining 322 that forms an interior surface of both thechannel and the entire bottom shell 320. Case 300 has bumpers (333) andback pads (332) to soften impact. While these could be added to cases100 and 200, case 200 has none as shown in FIGS. 11 and 11A, and case100 only has the side bumpers (133) as shown in FIG. 3.

FIGS. 15 and 16 illustrate a case 400 for securing over a mobile device405 according to a fourth embodiment. It will be understood that thecomponents, and the dimensions and shape, of case 400 could be modifiedto fit different types of mobile devices without departing from thenovelty of the case 400 described herein. FIG. 15 illustrates anexploded view of case 400. FIG. 16 shows a side view of case 400 whencase 400 is fully assembled around mobile device 405.

As illustrated in FIGS. 15 and 16, case 400 is comprised of fourprinciple parts: an upper backing element 430, a lower backing element440, a top shell 410, and a bottom shell 420. Generally, the upperbacking element 430 and the lower backing element 440 come togetheraround the perimeter of mobile device 405 to at least partially enclosemobile device 405 so that at least a display screen of mobile device 405is exposed. According to some embodiments, a display screen of mobiledevice 405 may be covered by a transparent membrane 408 (see FIG. 17).Top shell 410 and bottom shell 420 have no clasping mechanism on themsuch that they will not remain together around mobile device 405 ontheir own. Instead, lock assembly 480 is provided to secure componentsof case 400, including the top shell 410 and bottom shell 420(collectively referred to herein as a “shell assembly”), around mobiledevice 405. Lock assembly 480 is a wheel type locking assembly that isrotated into track 483 (also referred to herein as a “catch receptacle”)to draw upper backing element 430 and lower backing element 440 togetherto secure mobile device 405 within case 400. As shown in FIG. 15, thecatch receptacle 483 can be shaped to receive a catch that extends fromthe lock assembly 480. Once fully installed around mobile device 405,upper backing element 430 and lower backing element 440 are configuredto secure top shell 410 and bottom shell 420 into their positions aroundmobile device 405.

FIG. 15 further illustrates top shell 410 including a toggle switchmember 419. Toggle switch member 419 is configured to allow a user toengage a toggle switch (not illustrated) on mobile device 405. Toggleswitch member 419 engages (i.e., contacts) the toggle switch on mobiledevice 405 to flip the toggle switch on mobile device 405 from a firstposition (e.g., up position) to a second position (e.g., down position),and vice versa.

An outer perimeter of upper backing element 430 may be protected by anupper backing bumper 433 as illustrated in FIG. 15. Upper backingelement 430 may further include a camera hole 437 to allow a camera lensof mobile device 405 to be accessible for taking pictures or videos. Anouter perimeter of lower backing element 440 may be protected by a lowerbacking bumper 443 as illustrated in FIG. 15. Lower backing element 440may further include a pass-through accessory hole 499 that allows anaccessory piece to be looped or clasped through and attached to thecase, such as by way of a lanyard (not shown). FIG. 16 illustratesaccessory hole 499 as extending completely through lower backing element440. Backpad 442 may further be attached to lower backing element 440 toprovide additional protection for case 400.

Lower backing element 440 may further include a volume up overmold 418Aand a volume down overmold 418B as illustrated in FIG. 15. Volume upovermold 418A is configured to overlap with secondary toggle switchmember 4191 in an assembled configuration of case 400, and volume downovermold 418B is configured to overlap with secondary toggle switchmember 4192 in an assembled configuration of case 400. As illustrated inFIG. 15, the secondary toggle switch members 4191/4192 are molded to thetop shell 410, while the volume overmolds 418A/418B are molded to thelower backing element. Volume up overmold 418A and secondary toggleswitch member 4192 are configured to overlap with a volume up bottom 406on the mobile device 405 (e.g., illustrated in FIG. 17), while volumedown overmold 418B and secondary toggle switch member 4192 would overlapwith a volume down button on the device (not shown), when case 400 is inthe assembled configuration.

FIG. 17 illustrates a section view of a side edge of case 400 takenthrough section 17-17 from FIG. 16 that goes though volume up overmold418A. Bottom shell 420 includes volume up overmold 418A to allow a userto engage a volume up button 406 on mobile device 405. To engage (i.e.,contact) the volume up button 406 of mobile device 405, volume upovermold 418A may be pressed in by a user. When volume up overmold 418Ais pressed in, the movement of volume up overmold 418A may translate toengage secondary toggle switch member 4191 such that secondary toggleswitch member 4191 contacts the volume up button 406 of the mobiledevice 405. In this way, a user applying pressure to volume up overmold418A may move volume up overmold 418A towards mobile device 405 andtranslate this movement through secondary toggle switch member 4191 toengage and activate volume up button 406 of mobile device 405. Accordingto some embodiments, volume up overmold 418A may be configured to engagetoggle switch 406 directly without the inclusion of secondary toggleswitch member 4191. Spacing 4100 may surround portions of volume upovermold 418A and secondary toggle switch member 4191 to allowdeformations of volume up overmold 418A and/or secondary toggle switchmember 4191 caused by a pressure on volume up overmold 418A and/orsecondary toggle switch member 4191 to occupy within spacing 4100. Also,additional spacing 4200 may be present at specified sections betweenbottom shell 420 and lower backing element 440 to provide for additionalcushioning between the softer bottom shell 420 and the harder backingelement 440. Bottom shell 420 may further include a bottom shell cushion421 in direct contact with mobile device 405. Transparent membrane 408(i.e., protective screen cover) may cover a display screen of mobiledevice 405.

FIG. 18 illustrates an exploded view of components of lower backingelement 440, including an exploded view of a door clasp assembly of case400. The door clasp assembly is comprised of side hinges 475, bodyhinges 479, lifting tab 460, first hinge pin 461, second hinge pin 462,seal assembly 465 (which may include various dust and fluid seals aswell as fittings, etc.), and door 458. As described further below, door458 rotates about the first hinge pin 461 to provide access to an innerchamber 470 where ports of the mobile device 405 can be accessed, suchas by temporary wired connections to provide power to a power port orreceive audio signals from an audio port. When door 458 is open, water,dust and other materials may enter inner chamber 470. However, when door458 is fully sealed, inner chamber 470 is also sealed from dust, dirtand water, while sound may still permeate through sealing assembly 465.This allows for voice communication with the mobile device (receiver forinput) and audio output (such as speaker phone or playing music) whenthe door 458 is sealed. This is facilitated by one or more openings 456in the door. The openings are in the hard material of door 458, butsound can still pass through the sealing assembly 465 to reach the innerchamber 470 where the speaker and receiver can be accessed. Althoughsealing assembly 465 is shown to be comprised of four components,sealing assembly 465 may be comprised of one or more componentsaccording to other embodiments.

The lifting tab 460 (or “rocker assembly”) is used to unlatch the door458 as explained below. The tab 460 has several extensions, eachcontaining a top pin opening and a bottom pin opening, as best shown inFIG. 18. When fully assembled, first hinge pin 461 is configured tosecure door 458 to lifting tab 460 by inserting first hinge pin 461through a number of top pin openings of lifting tab 460, first doorhinge 458A, and second door hinge 458B. In this way, door 458 will besecurely attached to lifting tab 460 and rotate about first hinge pin461. When fully assembled, second hinge pin 462 is inserted through anumber of bottom pin openings of lifting tab 460 and secured to lowerbacking element 440 through side hinges 475 and body hinge 479. In thisway, lifting tab 460 will be secured to lower backing element 440 androtate about second hinge pin 462. Backpad 442 may include a cutout 445to allow access to lock assembly 480.

FIG. 19 illustrates the doorclasp assembly in a locked (sealed/closed)configuration. In the locked configuration, door 458 is closed againstlower backing element 440, thus positioning the sealing assembly 465within the inner chamber 470. While in the locked configuration liftingtab 460 is laid down substantially flat against the lower backingelement 440 and nestled into a carve-out provided by lifting space 473.This carve-out in the backpad 442 enables a user to get underneath aportion of lifting tab 460. By getting underneath lifting tab 460, auser may lift the lifting tab 460 up to release lifting tab 460 from itslocked configuration, and into the configuration shown in FIG. 19A. InFIG. 19A, lifting tab 460 is shown to be released from its lockedconfiguration and transitioned into a semi-opened configuration. Liftingtab 460 rotates with respect to lower backing element 440 about secondhinge pin 462 to rotate to the semi-opened configuration illustrated inFIG. 19A.

In the semi-opened configuration illustrated in FIG. 19A, door 458 isalso released from its locked configuration and is partially opened asillustrated by door 458 no longer being closed against lower backingelement 440. However, the door clasping member 454 forming the distaledge of the door from the hinges 458A and 458B is still clasped (see,e.g., FIG. 21 and discussion below). The spacing created between door458 and lower backing element 440 in the semi-opened configurationillustrated in FIG. 19A, enables door 458 to then be pressed down torelease the door clasping member 454 from the lower clasping member 444of the lower backing element 440, and rotate about first hinge pin 461to transition to a fully-opened configuration illustrated in FIG. 19B.

In the fully-opened position illustrated in FIG. 19B, door 458 isrotated up about the first hinge pin 461 to allow unfettered access toinner chamber 470. As shown best in FIG. 21, inner chamber 470 isdefined by portions of mobile device 405, top shell 410, bottom shell420, and door 458 (when closed as illustrated in FIG. 21). By allowingaccess to inner chamber 470 in the fully-opened configuration, one ormore ports on a lower portion of mobile device 405 that were previouslysecured behind door 458 in the locked configuration may be accessed.When door 458 is rotated to the fully-opened configuration, lifting tab460 is rotated back towards lower backing element 440 to besubstantially flat with lower backing element 440.

As shown in FIGS. 19-19B, the door securement mechanism disclosedprovides a door with not simply an open and shut condition, but with asealed condition (FIG. 19). The action provided by the geometry of thelifting tab 460, the double-hinge pin architecture, and the overlappinglip of the clasping members 454 and 444 essentially pulls the dooragainst the rest of the lower backing element 460 to ensure a watertightfit around the door's perimeter, which may have an o-ring or othercompressible material to facilitate a good seal.

FIG. 20 illustrates a bottom view of case 400. FIG. 21 illustrates asection of lower backing elements and the doorclasp assembly takenthrough section 21-21 from FIG. 20. The doorclasp assembly of case 400is shown to be in the locked configuration in FIG. 21. Lower backingelement 440 is shown to include a lower clasping member 444, and door458 is shown to include door clasping member 454. Door clasping member454 is configured to engage with lower clasping member 444 to securedoor 458 to lower backing element 440 in the locked configuration. Innerchamber 470 is shown to include additional spacing 4000 betweencomponents of the doorclasp assembly and the mobile device 405. FIG. 21also illustrates an exemplary port 407 of mobile device 405 that may beaccessed when door 458 is in the fully-opened configuration. Forexample, given the central positioning of the section, port 407 wouldcorrespond with the “lighting port” or power receiving receptacle onAPPLE's iPhone 5 model smart phone.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changesmay be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing fromthe scope of the novel and non-obvious techniques disclosed in thisapplication. For example, a single backing element running the length ofthe top and bottom shells might be substituted, such that it could slidealong the entire length of the outward protrusion formed by the matingedges of the top and bottom shells. Moreover, the dimensions of theprotrusions and the shapes of both the top and bottom shells could bedifferent than shown in the illustrated embodiments without departingfrom the concepts claimed below and enabled herein. In addition, manymodifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material tothe teachings of the novel techniques without departing from its scope.Therefore, it is intended that the novel techniques not be limited tothe particular techniques disclosed, but that they will include alltechniques falling within the scope of the appended claims. It is notedthat each of the embodiments illustrated in the figures and discussedherein are of the variety including top and bottom clam shells that areplaced together around a mobile device and sealed together by backingelements that slide together over the exterior sides of the clam shells.

What is claimed is:
 1. A case for a generally rectangular mobile device,the case comprising: an inner shell assembly for partially enclosing themobile device, the inner shell assembly including a top shell and abottom shell configured to join together around a perimeter of themobile device; an outer backing assembly configured to hold the innershell assembly together, the backing assembly comprising an upperbacking element configured to slide over a top end of the inner shellassembly, and a lower backing element configured to slide over a bottomend of the inner shell assembly and to seat against the upper backingelement along a parting line positioned between the top and bottom endsof the inner shell assembly; a locking assembly partially disposed ineach of the upper and lower backing elements, the locking assemblyconfigured to secure the upper and lower backing elements togetheraround the inner shell assembly, wherein the locking assembly comprisesa lock wheel rotatable between a locked position and an unlockedposition, rotation of the lock wheel towards the locked position causingthe upper and lower back elements to draw together around the innershell assembly; and a lock wheel housing formed into interior surfacesof both the upper and lower backing elements, wherein when the lockwheel is placed within the lock wheel housing, a surface of the lockwheel is flush with the interior surfaces of both the upper and lowerbacking elements, such that the lock wheel, the upper backing element,and the lower backing element cooperate to form a flat surface on whichthe inner shell assembly rests.
 2. The case of claim 1, wherein thelocking assembly further comprises: an aperture for enabling usercontrol of the lock wheel, the aperture being positioned on an outersurface of one or more of the upper and lower backing elements, rotationof the aperture causing rotation of the lock wheel.
 3. The case of claim2, wherein the aperture includes a cam hole configured to receive a keyfor turning the lock wheel.
 4. The case of claim 2, wherein the apertureincludes a groove configured to receive a coin for turning the lockwheel.
 5. The case of claim 2, wherein the aperture is disposed on arear surface of the lock wheel.
 6. The case of claim 1, wherein the lockwheel includes a catch and is disposed in one of the upper or lowerbacking elements, the other one of the upper and lower backing elementsincluding a track for receiving the catch; Wherein the lock wheelhousing comprises the track.
 7. The case of claim 6, wherein rotation ofthe lock wheel seats the catch into the track and pulls the upper andlower backing elements together.
 8. The case of claim 1, wherein thelock wheel is rotatably disposed in one of the upper and lower backingelements.
 9. The case of claim 1, wherein the upper backing element isconfigured to slide along protrusions formed on sidewalls of the topshell from the top end of the inner shell assembly, and the lowerbacking element is configured to slide along the protrusions of the topshell from the bottom end of the inner shell assembly.
 10. The case ofclaim 1, further comprising a position indicator visible through atleast one opening in an outer surface of the backing assembly, theposition indicator indicating whether the lock wheel is in the lockedposition or the unlocked position, wherein the position indicatorchanges from a first state to a second state as the lock wheel moves tothe locked position and changes from the second state to the first stateas the lock wheel moves to the unlocked position.
 11. A case for amobile device having a front surface and a back surface, the casecomprising: a shell assembly including a top shell component having twoopposing sidewalls and forming a perimeter around the front surface ofthe mobile device, and a bottom shell component forming a cradle for theback surface of the device; a backing assembly comprising an upperbacking element and a lower backing element configured to join togetheralong a parting line between a top end and a bottom end of the shellassembly, the backing assembly extending across a rear surface of thebottom shell and along a portion of the sidewalls of the top shell; alock assembly partially disposed in each of the lower backing elementand the upper backing element, the lock assembly configured to drawtogether the upper and lower backing elements using a lock wheel andhold the components of the shell assembly together in a locked position;and a lock wheel housing formed into interior surfaces of both the upperand lower backing elements, wherein when the lock wheel is placed withinthe lock wheel housing, a surface of the lock wheel is flush with theinterior surfaces of both the upper and lower backing elements, suchthat the lock wheel, the upper backing element, and the lower backingelement cooperate to form a flat surface on which the shell assemblyrests.
 12. The case of claim 11, wherein the lock wheel is disposed inone of the lower backing element and the upper backing element, and thelock wheel housing further comprises a catch receptacle disposed in theother one of the lower backing element and the upper backing element,and wherein the lock wheel is configured to rotate a catch into thecatch receptacle such that rotation of the lock wheel pulls the upperand lower backing elements together.
 13. The case of claim 11, whereinthe lock assembly comprises a cam hole used to turn the lock wheel thatactuates the locking assembly.
 14. The case of claim 13, wherein the camhole is accessible from an outer surface of the backing assembly. 15.The case of claim 11, wherein the case completely encapsulates thedevice.
 16. The case of claim 11, wherein the upper backing element isconfigured to slide along protrusions formed on sidewalls of the shellassembly from the top surface of the mobile device, and the lowerbacking element is configured to slide along the protrusions of theshell assembly from the bottom surface of the mobile device.
 17. Thecase of claim 11, further comprising a position indicator coupled to thelock wheel and visible through at least one opening in an outer surfaceof the backing assembly, the position indicator indicating whether thelock wheel is in a locked position or an unlocked position, wherein theposition indicator changes from a first state to a second state as thelock assembly moves to the locked position and changes from the secondstate to the first state as the lock assembly moves to the unlockedposition.